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Geometrical optimization for silver nanowire mesh as a flexible transparent conductive electrode

Nikzad, M. J ; Sharif University of Technology | 2020

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  1. Type of Document: Article
  2. DOI: 10.1364/AO.386042
  3. Publisher: OSA - The Optical Society , 2020
  4. Abstract:
  5. We report the effect of the geometric parameters on transparency and conductivity in a metallic nanowire mesh as a transparent electrode. Today, indium tin oxide and fluorine-doped tin oxide are used as the transparent electrode for displays and solar cells. Still, there is a definite need for their replacement due to drawbacks such as brittleness, scarcity, and adverse environmental effects. Metallic nanowire mesh is likely the best replacement option, but the main issue is how to find the optimal structure and how to get the best performance. Since the interaction of light with nanowire mesh is complicated, there is no straightforward rule with a simple analytical solution. We developed a kit based on wave optics for calculating the optical transmission of metallic nanowire mesh, which, unlike previous works, includes the interaction of light with the nanowire mesh, such as localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), surface plasmon polariton (SPP), and Rayleigh anomaly (RA). So, it is possible to accurately predict the effect of these phenomena and the transmission of mesh. Using the mentioned kit, we will be able to investigate the different geometrical structures of meshes to achieve optimal geometry. This kit is based on the classical Maxwell theory and empirical data and uses finite-difference time-domain for solving equations and experiential results for validation. Comparing the results by a redefined figure of merit shows that LSPR has the most significant reduction on transparency, whereas increasing the thickness (t) to width (w) ratio of the nanowire in the metallic mesh can reduce the LSPR effect and/or shifts it to the invisible region. The wire pitch (p) has no tangible impact on LSPR, but p can be chosen higher than 700 or lower than 350 nm to remove the extinction effects of the first-order RA. If p was larger than 150 nm, SPP could appear in the visible region of the spectrum. In small p, lower modes of SPP with higher intensities occur; therefore, there is an optimum value for p around 300 nm. The reduction of t and w reduces the intensity of SPP and causes it to red shift. By comparing the 900 different structures, the highest figure of merit is obtained in a p of 300 nm with a minimum w (10 nm) and maximum t (100 nm). © 2020 Optical Society of America
  6. Keywords:
  7. Electromagnetic wave polarization ; Finite difference time domain method ; Fracture mechanics ; Light ; Light transmission ; Maxwell equations ; Mesh generation ; Nanocomposites ; Plasmons ; Red Shift ; Silver ; Silver nanowires ; Structural optimization ; Tin oxides ; Transmissions ; Transparency ; Transparent electrodes ; Different structure ; Fluorine doped tin oxide ; Geometrical optimization ; Geometrical structure ; Localized surface plasmon resonance ; Rayleigh anomalies ; Surface plasmon polaritons ; Transparent conductive electrodes ; Surface plasmon resonance
  8. Source: Applied Optics ; Volume 59, Issue 10 , 2020 , Pages 3073-3080
  9. URL: https://www.osapublishing.org/ao/abstract.cfm?uri=ao-59-10-3073